Unit 1

Section A

Pre-reading Activities

First Listening
Please listen to a short passage carefully and prepare to answer some questions.

Second Listening
Listen to the tape again. Then answer the following questions with your own experiences.
1) What precious resource do Americans value and save?
2) What are the three kinds of behaviors that Americans consider to be a waste of time?
3) In what different ways do Americans approach time in business relations?

Time-Conscious Americans

Americans believe no one stands still. If you are not moving ahead, you are falling behind. This attitude results in a nation of people committed to researching, experimenting and exploring. Time is one of the two elements that Americans save carefully, the other being labor.
"We are slaves to nothing but the clock," it has been said. Time is treated as if it were something almost real. We budget it, save it, waste it, steal it, kill it, cut it, account for it; we also charge for it. It is a precious resource. Many people have a rather acute sense of the shortness of each lifetime. Once the sands have run out of a person's hourglass, they cannot be replaced. We want every minute to count.
A foreigner's first impression of the U.S. is likely to be that everyone is in a rush — often under pressure. City people always appear to be hurrying to get where they are going, restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbowing others as they try to complete their shopping. Racing through daytime meals is part of the pace of life in this country. Working time is considered precious. Others in public eating-places are waiting for you to finish so they, too, can be served and get back to work within the time allowed. You also find drivers will be abrupt and people will push past you. You will miss smiles, brief conversations, and small exchanges with strangers. Don't take it personally. This is because people value time highly, and they resent someone else "wasting" it beyond a certain appropriate point.
Many new arrivals to the States will miss the opening exchanges of a business call, for example. They will miss the ritual interaction that goes with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee that may be a convention in their own country. They may miss leisurely business chats in a restaurant or coffee house. Normally, Americans do not assess their visitors in such relaxed surroundings over extended small talk; much less do they take them out for dinner, or around on the golf course while they develop a sense of trust. Since we generally assess and probe professionally rather than socially, we start talking business very quickly. Time is, therefore, always ticking in our inner ear.
Consequently, we work hard at the task of saving time. We produce a steady flow of labor-saving devices; we communicate rapidly through faxes, phone calls or emails rather than through personal contacts, which though pleasant, take longer — especially given our traffic-filled streets. We, therefore, save most personal visiting for after-work hours or for social weekend gatherings.
To us the impersonality of electronic communication has little or no relation to the significance of the matter at hand. In some countries no major business is conducted without eye contact, requiring face-to-face conversation. In America, too, a final agreement will normally be signed in person. However, people are meeting increasingly on television screens, conducting "teleconferences" to settle problems not only in this country but also — by satellite — internationally.
The U. S. is definitely a telephone country. Almost everyone uses the telephone to conduct business, to chat with friends, to make or break social appointments, to say "Thank you", to shop and to obtain all kinds of information. Telephones save the feet and endless amounts of time. This is due partly to the fact that the telephone service is superb here, whereas the postal service is less efficient.
Some new arrivals will come from cultures where it is considered impolite to work too quickly. Unless a certain amount of time is allowed to elapse, it seems in their eyes as if the task being considered were insignificant, not worthy of proper respect. Assignments are, consequently, felt to be given added weight by the passage of time. In the U. S., however, it is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem, or fulfill a job successfully, with speed. Usually, the more important a task is, the more capital, energy, and attention will be poured into it in order to "get it moving".
Words: 689

NEW WORDS

budget
vt. plan the spending of or provide (money) in a plan 为……做预算，编制预算
vi. save or spend money (for a particular purpose)（为特定的目的）节省或用钱
n. [C, U] a plan to show how much money a person or organization will make and how much they will need or be able to spend 预算
a. inexpensive; cheap 便宜的，廉价的


acute
a. 1. (of feelings or the senses) fine; sharp（指感觉或感官）深刻的，敏感的，尖锐的
2. severe, very great 严重的

replace
vt. 1. put (sth.) back in its place 把……放回原处
2. take the place of (sb./sth.) 代替，取代

foreigner
n. [C] a person from a country other than one's own 外国人

restless
a. 1. unable to be still or quiet, esp. because of lack of interest, impatience, anxiety, etc.（尤指因厌烦、烦躁和焦虑而引起的）不安定的或不安静的
2. always moving 动作不停的，好动的

restlessly
ad. 不安定地，不安静地

elbow
vt. push sb. to one side with the elbows 用肘把人推到一旁
n. [C] (outside part of the) joint where the arm bends 肘

▲abrupt
a. 1. (of behavior) rough; offensive（指行为）粗鲁的，无礼的
2. sudden and unexpected 突然的，意外的

brief
a. 1. lasting only a short time; short 短暂的
2. (of speech or writing) using few words （指说话或写作）用字简练的，简洁的
vt. give sb. necessary information or instructions, esp. in order to prepare sb. for an activity 预先向……提供必要信息或指示

opening
a. first 初始的
n. 1. [C] (esp. sing.) beginning; start 开始
2. [C] a position (in a business or firm) which is open or not occupied（商号或公司的）职位空缺

▲ritual
a. of or done regularly followed in exactly the same way each time 例行的，老规矩的，惯常的
n. [C, U] method followed repeatedly in the same way every time 固定的程序

interaction
n. [C, U] communication; working together 交流；相互作用，相互影响，合作

convention
n. 1. [C, U] (an example of) generally accepted practice, esp. with regard to social behavior 惯例，习俗，常规
2. [C] a meeting of members of a profession, political party, etc. （专业人员、政党的）会议，大会

leisure
n. 1. [U] time free from work or other duties; spare time 空闲，闲暇
2. [U] ease 悠闲，安逸

leisurely
a. without hurrying 从容的，不匆忙的

assess
vt. judge or decide the amount, value, quality or importance of 估价，评价

surroundings
n. (pl.) all the objects, conditions, etc. that are around (and may affect) sb./sth.; environment 周围的事物；环境

golf
n. 高尔夫球（户外运动，打高尔夫球的人设法以最少击球数把小硬球打入场内9或18个洞中）


generally
ad. 1. usually, in a general sense 一般地, 通常地
2. by most people; widely 广泛地；普遍地

▲probe
v. 1. examine (sth.) closely 刺探，查究，探究，彻底调查
2. explore or examine (sth.) with or as if with a probe （用探针或探测器）检查，探查
n. 1. [C] 探针，探子（医生用来检查伤口的一种钝头细长工具）
2. [C] (esp. in news) complete and careful enquiry into sth. （尤为新闻用语） 刺探，查究，彻底调查

▲tick
vi. (of a clock, etc.) make a sequence of quiet short regularly repeated sounds （指钟表等）滴答滴答地响
vt. put a (√) beside (a point, etc.) 在（项目旁）打上勾号
n. 1. [C] light and regularly repeated sound, esp. that of a clock or watch （尤指钟表等）滴答声
2. [C] a mark (√) 勾号(√)

consequently
ad. as a result; so 因此，所以

saving
n. 1. [C] amount saved 节省，贮存
2. (pl.) money saved up 储蓄金

labor-saving
a. designed to reduce the amount of work or effort needed to do sth. 省工的，节省劳力的，减轻劳动的

device
n. 1. [C] a thing made or altered for a special purpose 器械，装置
2. [C] a plan, esp. for a rather dishonest purpose 计划，策略，诡计

fax
n. 1. [C, U] 传真通信，电传真
2. [C] 传真机

email
n. 电子邮件（electronic mail 的缩略）

electronic
a. 1. produced or operated by a flow of electrons 电子的，电子操作的
2. concerned with electronic devices 和电子设备（如计算机）有关的

significance
n. 1. [U] meaning 意义
2. [U] importance 重要性

conduct
vt. 1.carry out, direct, manage 进行, 指导, 管理
2. act as the path for (electricity, heat, etc.) 传导（电、热等）
n. [U] person's behavior (esp. its moral element) 行为，品行

increasingly
ad. more and more 逐渐地，日益地，逐渐增加地

■teleconference
n. （通过电话、电视等的）电信会议

satellite
n. 1. [C] 人造卫星
2. [C] 卫星

obtain
vt. get (sth.); come to own or control (sth.) (by buying, borrowing, taking, etc.)取得，获得；买到；借到


superb
a. excellent; outstanding; wonderful 极好的；壮丽的，华美的

whereas
conj.but in contrast; while 反之；却，而

▲elapse
vi. (of time) pass （指时间）过去，逝去

skillful
a. having or showing ability to do sth. well 熟练的，有技巧的，灵巧的

skillfulness
n. 熟练，有技巧，灵巧

competent
a. (of people) having the necessary ability, skill, knowledge, etc. （指人）有能力（技术、知识）的，能干的，胜任的

fulfill
vt. 1. perform (sth.) or bring (sth.) to a completion 履行，执行，完成
2. satisfy (sth.); answer 满足；与……相符

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

result in
have as a result, cause 致使，导致，造成……的结果

nothing but
only 只有，除……以外什么也不

account for
explain the cause of (sth.) 解释，说明

sand in the hourglass
沙漏中的沙（沙漏上端所盛细沙用一小时从窄缝中漏到下端）

in a rush
in a hurry 匆忙的

under pressure
being influenced; being forced 在压力下，在强力下

go with
exist or take place at the same time; be found together 同时发生；伴随

work at
put effort into (sth. or doing sth.); engage in (some activity) 工作，从事于，钻研

save for
keep (sth.) for future use; not use up (sth.) 储存，储蓄

at hand
1. being considered 正考虑的
2. near in time or position 在附近，在手边，临近的

in person
physically present 亲身，亲自

due to
as a result of, caused by, because of 由于，因为

be worthy of
(should) be given (sth.) 值得的，配得上的

Section B

Culture Shock

Do you think studying in a different country is something that sounds very exciting? Like many young people who leave home to study in another country, do you think you would have lots of desirable fun? Certainly, it is a new experience, which brings the opportunity of discovering fascinating things and a feeling of freedom. In spite of these advantages, however, there are also some challenges you will encounter. Because your views may clash with the different beliefs, norms, values, and traditions that exist in different countries, you may have difficulty adjusting to a new culture and to those parts of the culture not familiar to you. This is culture shock. Evidently, at least four essential stages of culture-shock adjustment occur.
The first stage is called "the honeymoon". In this stage, you feel excitement about living in a different place, and everything seems to be marvelous. You like everything, and everybody seems to be so nice to you. Also, the amusement of life in a new culture seems as though it will have no ending.
Eventually, however, the second stage of culture shock appears. This is the "hostility stage". You begin to notice that not everything is as good as you had originally thought it was. You become tired of many things about the new culture. Moreover, people don't treat you like a guest anymore. Everything that seemed to be so wonderful at first is now awful, and everything makes you feel distressed and tired.
Usually at this point in your adjustment to a new culture, you devise some defense mechanisms to help you cope and to protect yourself against the effects of culture shock. One type of coping mechanism is called "repression". This happens when you pretend that everything is acceptable and that nothing bothers you. Another type of defense mechanism is called "regression". This occurs when you start to act as if you are younger than you actually are; you act like a child. You forget everything, and sometimes you become careless and irresponsible. The third kind of defense mechanism is called "isolation". You would rather be home alone, and you don't want to communicate with anybody. With isolation, you try to avoid the effects of culture shock, or at least that's what you think. Isolation is one of the worst coping mechanisms you can use because it separates you from those things that could really help you. The last type of defense mechanism is called "rejection". With this coping mechanism, you think you don't need anybody. You feel you are coping fine alone, so you don't try to ask for help.
The defense mechanisms you utilize in the hostility stage are not helpful. If you only occasionally use one of these coping mechanisms to help yourself survive, that is acceptable. You must be cautious, however. These mechanisms can really hurt you because they prevent you from making necessary adjustments to the new culture.
After you deal with your hostile feelings, recognition of the temporary nature of culture shock begins. Then you come to the third stage called "recovery". In this stage, you start feeling more positive, and you try to develop comprehension of everything you don't understand. The whole situation starts to become more favorable; you recover from the symptoms of the first two stages, and you adjust yourself to the new norms, values, and even beliefs and traditions of the new country. You begin to see that even though the distinctions of the culture are different from your own, it has elements that you can learn to appreciate.
The last stage of culture shock is called "adjustment". In this stage, you have reached a point where you actually feel good because you have learned enough to understand the new culture. The things that initially made you feel uncomfortable or strange are now things that you understand. This acquisition of understanding alleviates much of the stress. Now you feel comfortable; you have adjusted to the new culture.
Evidently, culture shock is something you cannot avoid when living in a foreign country. It does not seem like a very helpful experience when you are going through its four stages. However, when you have completely adjusted to a new culture you can more fully enjoy it. You learn how to interact with other people, and you learn a considerable amount about life in a culture that is not your own. Furthermore, learning about other cultures and how to adjust to the shock of living in them helps you learn more about yourself.
Words: 753

NEW WORDS

desirable
a. worth having; be wished for 令人向往的；值得有的；合意的

fascinating
a. having great attraction or delight 有极大吸引力的，迷人的

spite
n. 1. 用于短语 in spite of: not being prevented by (sb./sth.); regardless of 虽然；不顾，尽管
2. [U] desire to hurt, offend another person; ill will 恶意；怨恨

clash
vi. 1. disagree seriously (about sth.) 严重不一致，冲突
2. come together and fight 冲突，交锋，遭遇
n. 1. serious disagreement; arguing 严重不一致；争论
2. violent contact; fight 抵触，冲突

tradition
n. [U, C] beliefs or customs passed down from one generation to the next, esp. without writing; any long-established method, practice, etc. 传统；惯例

evidently
ad. obviously; it appears that 明显地

excitement
n. 1. [U] state of strong emotional reaction or feeling, esp. one caused by sth. pleasant 兴奋，激动，刺激（尤指令人愉快的事引起的）
2. [C] a thing that excites; an exciting event 令人兴奋的事，使人激动的事件

marvelous(英marvellous)
a. surprising; outstanding; wonderful 惊奇的；奇妙的，不可思议的

amuse
vt. 1. make (sb.) laugh or smile 逗……乐（笑）
2. make time pass pleasantly for (sb.) 给……娱乐（消遣）；以……自娱

amusement
n. 1. [C]a thing that makes time pass pleasantly 娱乐（消遣）活动，娱乐品，娱乐场所
2. [U] state of being amused 娱乐，快乐

ending
n. [C] an end, esp. of a story, film or word（尤指故事、影片、戏剧）结局，结尾

hostile
a. 1.showing strong hate or objecting to; very unfriendly 怀有敌意的；敌对的
2.of an enemy 敌方的

hostility
n. 1. [U] being hostile (to sb./sth.) 敌意，敌对，敌视
2. [U] being against 抵制，反对
3. (pl.) acts of war; fighting 战争；战斗

moreover
ad. (used to introduce sth. new that adds to or supports the previous statement) further; as well as; in addition 再有；此外；而且

distress
n. 1. [U] (cause of) great pain, sadness, suffering, etc. 痛苦，苦恼，忧伤（的原因）
2. [U] suffering (caused by lack of money, food, etc.) （缺钱、缺食物造成的）穷苦，贫困
3. [U] state of being in danger or difficulty and requiring help 危险，危难
vt. cause distress to (sb./sth.) 使痛苦，使悲痛，使忧伤，使贫困

devise
vt. think out (a plan, tool, etc.) 想出（计划），发明（设备、工具）

mechanism
n. 1. [C]【心】心理机制
2. [C] method or steps for getting things done 手法，技巧，途径
3. [C] working parts of a machine, etc. 机械装置，机件

cope
vi. (with) manage successfully; be able to deal with sth. difficult （成功地）应付，能对付

▲repression
n. 1. [U]control or preventing【心】压抑（把本能的欲望和冲动，尤与一般公认的行为标准相冲突的，压抑于潜意识中），压抑作用，压抑机制
2. [U] cruel and severe control 镇压，抑制

■regression
n. [U] return to a former state 【心】 回归，倒退（指当个人追求的愿望得不到满足或受严重挫折时，即以与其年龄不相称的发展早期的某些原始的幼稚行为来适应当前，由意识状态倒退到无意识状态的一种变态心理现象。）

isolate
vt. put or keep sb./sth. entirely apart from other people or things; separate sb./sth. 使孤立；使隔绝，使隔离

isolation
n. [U] isolating or being isolated 隔离，孤立，分解，分离

avoid
vt. 1. keep oneself away from (sb./sth.) 避开，逃避
2. stop sth. happening; prevent 避免；防止

reject
vt. 1. refuse to accept (sb./sth.) 拒绝，不接受
2. throw (sth.) away as not to be used, chosen, done, etc. 抛弃，丢弃
n. [C] rejected person or thing 被弃或被拒的人或物

rejection
n. [U, C] rejecting or being rejected 拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

helpful
a. giving help; useful 有帮助的；有益的

recognition
n. 1. [U] the state of being accepted as legal, real, or valuable 承认，认可
2. [U] the fact of knowing sb. or sth. 认出，认识
3. [U] reward or honor 酬谢，赏识，表彰

recovery
n. 1. [U] (sing.) return to a normal state 恢复，复原，痊愈
2. [U] getting back 寻回，追回，收复

comprehension
n. 1. [U] (power of) understanding 理解（力），领悟
2. [U, C] exercise aimed at improving or testing one's understanding (written or spoken) （书面或口头）理解力练习，理解力测验

favorable (英favourable)
a. 1. helpful; suitable 有帮助的；适宜的
2. giving or showing agreement 赞同的

symptom
n. 1. [C] a change in the body that shows an illness 症候，症状
2. [C] a sign of the existence of sth. wrong （坏事物存在的）迹象，征兆，征候

distinction
n. 1. [C] special element, special or unique quality 个性，特征
2. [C, U] a difference or contrast between one person/thing and another 区分，区别
3. [U] a quality of excellence 卓著，盛名

appreciate
vt. 1. understand and enjoy (sth.); value highly 欣赏，赏识
2. understand (sth.) with sympathy 理解，意识到，懂得
vi. increase in value 增值，涨价

acquisition
n. 1. [U] action of gaining 获得，得到
2. [C] a thing gained, esp. sth. useful 获得物（尤指有用的东西），添加物

▲alleviate
vt. make sth. less serious; ease 减轻；缓和

furthermore
ad. in addition; moreover 此外，还有

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

adjust to
become or make suited (to new conditions) 使适应（新环境），适应

be familiar to
well known to; often seen or heard by 为……所熟悉的；常见（听）到的

culture shock
confusion caused by contact with a culture other than one's own 文化冲击，文化震撼（在陌生的文化环境中不知所措）

in the stage
in a part of activity or a period of development 在……阶段，在……时期

be tired of
be impatient or fed up with (sb./sth.) 讨厌，不耐烦，厌烦

separate from
(cause things or people to) divide 使分离，分开

prevent from
stop (sb. or sth.) from (doing sth.) 阻止，防止

deal with
take action on; manage 处理，对付

come to
reach a certain state 达到某状态

recover from
return to a normal state from 从……恢复到正常状态

go through
experience; finish certain stages 通过；完成（某阶段）

Section C

Adjustment to a New Culture

I had to find more friends. After several weeks in school I knew a couple of students but saw them only a few minutes, perhaps three times a week. I decided to learn a few more names. I came ten minutes early to my News Media and U.S. Government class. Two young women, one black and one white, were already there. I told myself to be aggressive and went up to them.
"Hi." I tried to be casual. "My name is Liu Zongren. I come from Beijing, China." I stressed Beijing, hoping that might create some attention.
"Oh, really? How do you find it here? " The white woman seemed interested.
I couldn't understand what she meant. "I came here by plane, of course." I must have looked lost. The white woman added quickly, "I mean, do you like this country?"
"Well, I don't know. " How foolish I was. Why had I said this?
"My name is Ann. This is Geri."
Several other students had arrived by now. I didn't know if the two women wanted to go on talking. I began feeling nervous when I realized I was standing in the middle of the classroom.
Ann started to move away. "Glad to meet you, Mr.— "
"Liu," I said in haste, "Just call me Liu. My last, no, my first name is too hard to pronounce."
"Glad to meet you, Mr. Liu," Ann repeated.
"Thank you," I said, my face turning red. I wondered what I had thanked them for, as I made my way to a seat.
After the class began, most of what the professor said escaped my ears and I left as soon as the lecture ended. I had no other class that day and I didn't want to go back to the loneliness of the McKnight house, so I explored around the grounds. Many students were entering a particular lecture hall. I stopped and checked my list of classes. It was a history class. Good.
I went in. I sat in a seat away from the lecture stand. Nobody paid any attention to me. I saw several Asian faces among the crowd. I relaxed, took out my notebook, and opened the school newspaper, pretending to be an old hand. A young man sat down beside me and smiled. It was five minutes until class. Perhaps I could strike up a conversation with this friendly looking man. I started my set introduction. "My name is Liu Zongren. I come from Beijing, China."
"Glad to meet you. My name is George Christi." He seemed ready to talk.
"Please write down your name for me." I handed my notebook to him. "You know, it is very hard for me to remember American names without seeing them spelled out." I said this out of a desire to speak two more sentences, rather than as an explanation. I looked at what he wrote. "Is yours the same name as that British woman who writes mystery novels? "
"Sort of," he answered.
Seeing me at a loss, he asked, "How do you like the weather here?"
"Much the same as that in Beijing. We have cold winters, too."
"I hope someday I can go to Beijing."
"You'll be welcome. If you wait for two years, I can show you around." I was so very eager to make a friend of him.
Unfortunately, the professor appeared and the class began. I would be sure to come to this class again and locate this friendly person.
I didn't try my luck anymore that afternoon. Instead I found a seat in the library and tried to finish some assignments. I took out my books, but my mind refused to absorb anything. I glanced around the library; some students were doing their homework; a few were dozing on the sofa along the wall. Looking at those tired students, I remembered an article in the newspaper had reported that the 1981 fees would be $6,900. How could I blame them for not wanting to talk to me? Costs were so high; they had to put their time and energy into their studies.
I closed my books and began a letter to Fengyun, but couldn't finish it. Sad, I packed up my books and walked slowly back to my room. I knew my sadness came not only from missing my family, but also from the frustration of being unable to learn. People in Beijing must be thinking I was enjoying myself here in the richest country in the world. Yet I was suffering, not because people in America were not accepting me, but because they didn't understand me and didn't seem to care how I felt — and because I didn't understand them, either. After my three classes each day, I walked without aim around the grounds like a lost soul. I had no place to go.
I felt better when dusk fell, knowing that another day had passed.
Words: 817